2008 Hyundai Sonata: sudden loss of power

5 of the 425 complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Sonata describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 117,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2023
19
2022
2
2021
11
2020
6
2019
4
2018
20
2017
56
2016
53
2015
95
2014
42
2013
95
2012
84
2011
120
2010
3
2009
5
2008
5
2007
6
2006
3
2005
1
2004
2
2003
4
2002
2
2001
1
2000
6
1999
1
1996
1

What owners say

Filed Mar 31, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 152,800 miles · TX · 1 injury

2008 hyundai sonata 6cyl dohc 3.3l / 152812 water pump went out. Replaced it. Then water ended up in the oil that got into the lifters. Ended up getting another motor. Then my A/C stopped working (didn't blow cool or cold air). Changed oil and oil filter myself along with the oil sensor ( connected to oil filter spot) that was leaking bad as long as the car was running.I was driving on the interstate, in front of a loaded 18 wheeler, driving 75 then my car jerked real hard then dropped down to 40. I had to pull over illegally to keep from getting hit by the truck. As I was catching my breath I turned the car off. When I started it back up it made a weird tick noise. Haven't heard that noise since. When I pulled off it hesitated to change gears from 2 to 3. It finally changed and did not come out of 3rd. Got it towed home. Had my moms boyfriend to check the transmission. He drove it and it was fine. Next morning started car and it sounded like a vacuum cleaner. (low volume) finally it went away. When I headed to work, it hesitated at first. The vacuum noise came back and was louder. Then I sped up to 50, it hard jerked again, and stayed in 3rd gear. As I went further loss power in inside lane of highway and car was smoking under the hood. Like it didn't know I was pushing the gas pedal. Started shaking at around 20 miles an hour. Pulled over and check engine light came on. Called a friend to pull me back home. It was reversing fine but would not go forward. So I changed the accelerator pedal sensor (whole pedal) that wasn't the problem. So then I changed the entire fuel pump/ injector. Still have all parts by the way. That wasn't the problem either. Put it on the machine and it gave a code for ECM and oxygen sensor. Esc light came on as well as TPMS, when I started the car. I could move forward but it was like I wasn't. This all started in february 2019

Filed Aug 27, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IL

Driving on the highway at approximately 70 MPH when my vehicle lost power without any warning whatsoever, including power steering. Momentum and struggle steering allowed me to move from center lane to shoulder of the road safely. Initially thought it was the leaky head cover gasket that slowly leaked onto the alternator. Had it towed to a reputable mechanic who later informed me the engine had seized. He did verify that was oil in the engine at the time. The car was not even 10 yrs old and purchased brand new.

Filed Aug 28, 2016 · Electrical · 103,200 miles · CT

I first noticed a problem with my 2008 hyundai sonata on friday 08-05-16 when I exited a highway and my seat belt and battery indicator lights began to alternate flashing. I scheduled an appointment with my mechanic a few days later (they are closed on weekends). While driving the vehicle over that weekend those same two indicator lights would continue to alternate flashing when driven below 40 MPH. On 08-09-16, while driving on the highway to the mechanic, numerous other indicator lights on the dash began to turn on one by one. After exiting the highway the vehicle began stalling and ultimately lost power. My mechanic replaced the alternator and noticed a significant oil leak near the alternator. He steam cleaned the engine and then found an oil leak from the "front valve cover gasket" was the cause. He replaced it. I'm aware other hyundai models have been recalled for the exact same problem. We also own a 2007 hyundai veracruz and we experienced the same problem to that vehicle one year ago, when the veracruz was 8 years old. This happened to my sonata at the same "age", 8 years old. The veracruz damage was covered by a hyundai recall. I believe the 2008 hyundai sonata needs to be included in hyundai's recall.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Driver assistance, Engine · 37,000 miles · NY

While driving the check engine light and ESC light go on simultaneously. When this occurs, the car goes into reduced power mode ("limp mode") and you are not able to drive above 15 or 20 MPH. This is a very dangerous situation, especially when driving on the highway. This is a known issue with hyundai in which they issued tsb #'s 09-fl-003-2 and 10-fl-010. The tsb's address a faulty throttle position sensor which is to be replaced with a new one with different settings than the original. One the part is changed, an update to the electronic control module is required. There are numerous accounts of this incident happening. How can a flaw of this magnitude not warrant a recall?

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact 2008 hyundai sonata se. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, an abnormal noise emitted from the engine as the vehicle lost power and stalled. The contact mentioned that the oil light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000. The VIN was not available.